Barrow AFC will be without midfielder MJ Williams for Saturday’s League Two fixture against his former club MK Dons, head coach Andy Whing has confirmed.
Williams, who joined the Bluebirds from the Dons in January, is nursing a minor issue and is expected to return next week. His absence means he’ll miss the trip to Stadium MK – a ground he only left three months ago.
The 28-year-old has become a key figure in Whing’s squad since arriving, adding steel and experience to Barrow’s midfield as they push for a strong finish to the campaign. However, the timing of his knock leaves the side lighter in midfield against one of their key rivals.
Whing hopeful over injury situation
Whing offered an update on the wider fitness picture, suggesting that several injured players are edging closer to full recovery – a timely boost for Barrow as the season enters its final stages.
“MJ is probably likely to miss this weekend I would have thought, but he is nothing major. He’ll be back hopefully next week.
“Apart from Kian (Spence who is out for the rest of the season) we look like we might be back to close to full strength from next week. Barnesy (Sam Barnes) was on the bench the other night, but he hasn’t trained that much, so we are gradually trying to get him back to where he was before he got injured.
“Theo (Vassell) probably had his first week’s training for six or seven weeks, so he’s nearly there. We have a County Cup game next week so one or two of the injured players who are coming back will get more minutes.”
Williams’ career has seen highs and lows since emerging from the Liverpool academy. A serious injury early in his career nearly ended it, but a rare cartilage transplant allowed him to continue playing. Since then, he has played for several clubs including Rochdale, Blackpool, Bolton and MK Dons.
His January move to Barrow was seen as a coup, with the Welshman bringing top-level experience and leadership to a young side. While Saturday’s absence is precautionary, his influence will be missed in a high-stakes encounter.
Writer’s view
Williams’ absence will be a blow for Barrow, especially given his inside knowledge of MK Dons’ setup. His recent form has been steady and impactful, and Whing’s side will miss his presence in midfield. On the bright side, Whing seems cautiously optimistic about the club’s injury recovery timeline – a positive sign for the games ahead. If Barrow can hold their own without him, it will speak volumes about their growing squad depth.
